Predators Hoping Some Change Helps

Arena Football

Beating The Good Teams And Losing To The Also-rans Has Become A Habit.

July 13, 2001|By L.C. Johnson, Sentinel Staff Writer

This is probably not the best time for Orlando Predators Coach Jay Gruden to be tinkering with his lineup, but he has more or less been forced to do that heading into tonight's game at TD Waterhouse Centre with the Buffalo Destroyers.

The Preds, once the hottest team in the Arena Football League during a six-game winning streak at the middle of the season, are struggling again, coming off another disappointing loss to the Florida Bobcats last weekend in Fort Lauderdale.

"I don't know what the problem was last week," Gruden said. "We went down there and they didn't have a good crowd, which is no excuse, but we came out flat and just didn't play well. I really can't explain it."

The Preds (7-5) have the distinction of having beaten three of the top four teams in the league in San Jose, Nashville and Tampa Bay twice, each of whom have nine victories.

On the flip side, the Preds lost a pair of games to the Bobcats, a 5-7 team that won't make the playoffs and had never defeated them in 10 previous tries. Orlando also suffered another damaging loss at home two weeks ago to a 3-9 Milwaukee Mustangs team that has the second-worst record in the league.

"The two losses to Florida hurt, but the Milwaukee loss was really bad, especially because we lost a big lead at home," Gruden said. "But we still have a chance to win nine games and host a first-round playoff game. Of course, if we lose to Buffalo, we'll be in big trouble."

Compounding matters for Gruden is that he is forced to rest star wide receiver/offensive specialist Siaha Burley, who has a foot injury. The Preds hope to have him back healthy in time for the playoffs. Buffalo (6-6) is also fighting for a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, Gruden signed former XFL Orlando Rage center Cal Dixon in hopes of alleviating some of the problems the Preds have experienced lately with the quarterback-center exchange.

"It's probably not good to have to be throwing so many different guys in there now from a chemistry standpoint," Gruden said.

"But we've got some guys hurt and the fumbling has been a problem. So hopefully this will be just the thing to snap us out it."